July 29, 2013: Nearly 2 million Australians own cats and for many people they’re one of the family.So what happens when you go on a holiday? The coolest cats in town are living it up in luxury pet hotels, Natalia Cooper reports.

Telstra business finalist is purr-fect

CHARLIE walks past a statue of the Eiffel Tower in his Paris-themed hotel room complete with three levels, French wash furniture, ensuite and floor-to-ceiling print of the Eiffel Tower at sunset.

Aged three, Charlie is a Russian Blue cat who recently stayed at luxury “cat hotel” Divine Creatures in Willoughby, where for between $28.50 and $100 a day, cats stay while their owners go on holiday.

The cattery’s most expensive and largest room, called the Penthouse Lounge, has a floor-to-ceiling window, fireplace, large screen TV, two human-sized lounges and personal butler service.

“It’s the most luxurious,” said cattery co-owner Ms Dos Santos. “We literally offer a butler service for that room. “They are the first to get cleaned out and when they meow we come running.” Rooms have holiday themes including Paris, Fiji, New York,and Greece.

Romeo playing in the Amazon Jungle Gym at Divine Creatures luxury cat hotel in Willoughby, which is a finalist in the 2013 Telstra Business awards. Picture: Adam TaylorSource: The Daily Telegraph

With room themes ranging from Fijian to Oriental to Parisian, even the most finicky of felines will likely find an ambience they adore.

“We have found a lot of owners reporting the cats are a lot happier and social when they get back home, this relaxes them,” Ms Dos Santos said. “Especially The Ritz room, that seems to be the most popular and soothing.” The Ritz – available for $75 a night – is described on the hotel’s website as having: “Beautiful, tranquil and relaxing decor with window views.”

Tilly in her uptown New York apartment at Divine Creatures luxury cat hotel, which is a finalist in the 2013 Telstra Business awards. Picture: Adam TaylorSource: The Daily Telegraph

They advertise “spacious deluxe condos built over three levels, include a separate main bedroom and separate en suite” which are described as having “plenty of room to move – your feline companion will enjoy relaxing days and peaceful nights”.

Then there are the “New York City Apartments”, “twice the size of the already huge deluxe condos”. These have “window views and opportunities to bask in the sunshine all day long” and offer “plenty of room for a multi-cat household”. But the luxury doesn’t just stop at